The police shooting of Alton Sterling sparked nationwide protests as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. But the state of Louisiana has effectively ended any criminal proceedings against the officers.
On Tuesday, the US state of Louisiana announced that it would not file criminal charges against the two white policemen involved in the deadly shooting of a black man, sparking massive protests two years ago.
The decision effectively ends legal proceedings against the officers after the US Justice Department ruled out federal charges 11 months ago.
In July 2016 Officer Blane Salamoni shot and killed 37-year-old Alton Sterling as his colleague officer Howie Lake II helped wrestle him to the ground outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge.
Cellphone footage of the event prompted massive protests over police violence against black men and helped spark the Black Lives Matter movement.
‘Lawful arrest’
The state’s attorney general Jeff Landry said: “Our investigation has concluded that officers Lake and Salamoni attempted to make a lawful arrest,” adding the decision “was not taken lightly.”
He said Sterling was armed, under the influence of illegal drugs and had resisted arrest.
“Throughout the encounter, the officers attempted several non-lethal techniques to gain compliance and control of Mr. Sterling’s hands,” he said.
“Their efforts to do so were a direct result of the information relayed to them by the Baton Rouge police department dispatcher — and that was that Mr. Sterling was armed with a firearm.
“Furthermore, the officers’ concern that he was armed and dangerous was in fact subsequently verified and correct.”
